How to prepare for International Travel

Like to travel? What about all the nitty gritty things that go along with traveling?

Have you checked your passport lately? It is still in date? Do you even know where it is? Have you applied for your passport yet? What about arranging days off at work, care for pets, etc.

International travel is amazing… and frustrating to plan to the last detail. So here’s some helpful items to keep in mind while you plan your next get away!

1. Check your passporto!

If you don’t currently have a passport… GET ONE. If you have one locate it. Make sure the date is still current… and obviously that you have access to it when the time comes.

2. Travel Documents

Make sure you have confirmation for any flights, hotels, and rental cars prints and handy for while you are abroad. Keep in mind that phone service costs more abroad and WiFi isn’t everywhere.

I like to print out my documentation prior to travel day, keep them in a folder and hang on to them prior to each part of my destination. I rarely need them, but when I do I’m glad I have them.

3. Check VISA status

Depending on the country you are traveling to you may need to apply for a visa to visit. For Australia I was able to apply online and get my tourist visa in under 24 hours. Easy as 1-2-3!

Certain countries don’t require a travel VISA in advance. But others require further information to ensure that you are able to enjoy your trip without delays.

4. Notify your bank.

I forgot to do this when I started booking my hotels…. so my bank denied the first round of Hotels. Whoops. Thankfully I notified my bank and quickly got back on track.

Notifying your bank allows you to travel with your cards without your accounts being frozen. It also helps keep your bank in the know so they can better manage identity theft concerns.

5. Keep people in the know

Email your itinerary to your family or friends that will help keep tabs on where you are, and when you should be traveling again. In the event that you have complications with your travels, it’s best to have someone keeping tabs on you and your travels.

6. Make arrangements

You may be traveling abroad… but your home, pets, and plants also require planning. Depending on where you’re traveling, when you’re traveling, and how long you’re traveling you’ll have to put together a plan for home, pets, and plants.

– Pets. Make sure they are squared away: food, water, shelter. Keep them safe. Keep them cared for.

– Plants. Depending on the extent of your green thumb you may or may not need someone to water your plants.

– Home. Make sure you’ve alerted neighbors or friends to come check on the house for you. The last thing you want is to come home to a mess! So don’t forget to protect your house.

– Mail. If you get more mail than I do you may need to place your mail on hold. I rarely get actual mail so I skip this step.

7. Make a packing list

As I’ve said many times before… the best way to be prepared is to create a list and then tick each time off the list. Before you know it your trip will be here and you’ll be having a great time knowing everything is taken care of.

8. Happy Travels!

Xo,

Nattie